The Atlanta Braves needed to address their bullpen this winter, and with two moves, they've done just that. Raisel Iglesias is back on a one-year, $16 million deal, and Robert Suarez is now signed on a $45 million three-year deal.
It's a strong one-two punch for the Braves to utilize to close out games, as Suarez and Iglesias both have experience as their team's respective closers.
But, after spending $45 million on Suarez, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic revealed the Braves' plan for who will get the closer role going forward. Atlanta's decision is an unexpected one, as the player paid three times more is not going to close games.
Braves make unexpected closer decision between Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias
"Iglesias will remain the Braves' closer, source says," Rosenthal reports. "Suarez will set up."
Atlanta is sticking with Iglesias as the team's closer, and unexpected and interesting decision after spending nearly three-times the amount of money on Suarez tht they did on Iglesias.
There isn't much of an age difference, with Suarez being 34 years old and Iglesias at 35 years old. But there is a big difference in experience.
Suarez is coming off just his fourth season in the Majors, while Iglesias just wrapped up year 11 since his 2015 MLB debut.
Iglesias had a 3.21 ERA in 70 appearances with 1.3 bWAR and 29 saves with 73 strikeouts and a 0.995 WHIP in 67.1 innings pitched for the Braves in 2025.
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Suarez had a 2.97 ERA in 70 appearances with 2.3 bWAR and 40 saves (led the NL) with 75 strikeouts and a 0.904 WHIP in 69.2 innings pitched for the Padres in 2025.
The comparison between the two favors Suarez, but the Braves are handing the keys to their closer role to Iglesias, who has tenure with the Braves and much more experience.
During his 2024 season, Iglesias had a 1.95 ERA in 69.1 innings pitched with 68 strikeouts and a 0.736 WHIP. Suarez hasn't had such a dominant season in his four-year career, though he's more recently had the better season.
This is an interesting decision from the Braves, but it's one they can very easily change if needed. If Iglesias is struggling in the closer role, Suarez, who was the NL's best closer, could easily take over.
Suarez is a great signing for the Braves, and while it's unexpected that Suarez is the set-up man for Iglesias, it's still a worthwhile $45 million contract to agree to for Atlanta.
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